Q&A with Meki Shewangizaw, MPH Alumna

Will you tell us about your MPH program at Gillings?

I was in the first cohort for the Health Equity, Social Justice and Human Rights (EQUITY) concentration! It’s wonderful to see the program and how much it’s grown today.

Meki Shewangizaw

Will you tell us about your experiences working at Partners in Health?

I currently work as the Community Engagement Project Manager at Partners In Health, it’s a combination of what I love to do most: working with good people and focusing on health equity! Our mission is to advance health equity by accompanying community partners in North Carolina to achieve their long-term vision and ensure that they have the resources, relationships, and power necessary to identify, respond to, and meet the needs of the communities they serve.

Will you tell us more about Tesfa Ethiopia?

Tesfa is my passion project! It’s a nonprofit that was started with an amazing group of friends that’s focused on supporting children’s education in Ethiopia. We first began our work by providing school supplies and uniforms to students across Ethiopia. Now, we’re expanding our services to create a holistic approach to supporting children’s education. So far, we’ve supported over 900 students get what they need to continue their education. You can learn more at tesfaethiopia.org.

What advice do you have for current or prospective Gillings students?

Building genuine connections with your professors and peers is the most valuable thing in grad school.

What does “global health” mean to you?

Global Health to me is the commitment of working towards health and social equity for communities around the world.

If there was an Olympics for everyday activities, what would you have a good chance at winning a medal in?

Considering I’m not very coordinated, I think my best bet is racewalking!